Minister – Rev Dave Thomas
Hi! I grew up in the life of the Methodist Church. My Dad was a Methodist Minister and our family came into the Uniting Church at its inauguration in 1977. As a young person, I was a Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, director of Youth Camps and became an accredited Lay Preacher at 24 years of age. I spent 24 years in the Superannuation Consulting business with a range of companies, before responding to the call of God to give myself to Him and His Church in a full-time capacity.
I started as a lay ‘Community Minister’ – initially voluntary – at the same time I started as a Voluntary School Chaplain – both at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast in 2003. In 2006, I was employed by Scripture Union and continued as a Chaplain until 2012. In 2007, I was officially commissioned as a Community Minister. In 2011, I was ordained and from 2012 until 2020 served as the Minister in Gympie. I accepted the call to Oxley beginning in January 2021.
I seek to live my life as a follower of Jesus! I am a Kingdom person – passionately believing that denominations and individual churches are secondary to an allegiance to the Kingdom of God.
Interests include my pet Cavoodle (Jhet), the bush, driving, motorbikes, rugby league, basketball and ‘community’. I love the outback and have recently bought a small off-road Hybrid Van to help me explore more of it. I love driving and find it quite therapeutic and a great time to pray and listen to God! I am a Chaplain with Bikers for Christ and ride a BMW 1200 Adventure Bike when the opportunity presents itself. I believe the Church is called to be ‘in community’ not separate from it.
I have two adult daughters, both of whom are following their chosen pathways.
Congregational Leadership Team (CLT)
Vicki Robinson, Chairperson
I bring to the leadership of the Oxley Uniting Church a passion to see the church grow, develop, and be relevant to all generations. I currently use my administration skills in the role of CLT Chairperson.
My vision for Oxley UC that it will be a beacon of Christ’s hope in the Oxley Community. That we can show Christ’s love and grace through offering practical support to people in the community especially those who are marginalised.
Judy Jeffrey, Secretary
I am blessed to have been part of the Oxley Uniting Church family for some 18 years and part of God’s family since a teenager. I have known His love and peace throughout my life and faith journey. God has enriched my life through His gifts of a husband, children and grandchildren and I am thankful for His presence and provision of Christian family and friends for support and encouragement in times of joy and crisis. My hope and prayer, to always serve and honour Him.
Barry Holcroft – Treasurer
God’s Word touched me as a teenager when I wasn’t expecting His call. I have know His goodness all my life and I live because He lives in my life as Lord and Saviour. Jesus has blessed me to be a husband, a father of 3, and a grandfather of 7 beautiful youngsters. Together with you, I serve His Church with His giftings and abilities as the CLT team treasurer, in Bible Study leadership, through worship leading, and with the current church redevelopment program. I continue to be involved in the Brisbane West Emmaus Community, the Mt Tamborine Easter Conventions and Capernwray Missionary Fellowship events.
Gayle Rankin
As a member of Oxley UC, I am committed to helping share the good news of Jesus to those within our church and community. I enjoy participating in leading worship and serving in music teams.
Jenny Hodgson
I have been involved with Oxley Uniting Church for around 35 years. During this time I have been involved in various roles within the church, notably leading youth groups, priority one, Sunday School and 10 years as Day Camp Coordinator. More recently I have loved being part of the worship team and encouraging children to be included into our church family. I mainly attend the evening services and I am looking forward to my role of serving the church through CLT.
Miriam King
I have had a connection with Oxley Uniting Church since Graham and I presented our first daughter Janine for baptism in June 1981. During that time, I have been actively involved in various areas of the church. I started first with helping in the Sunday School and then I volunteered to help in RE at Oxley S.S. from 1996 to 2008 and then from 2009 we decided to change from doing RE each week to doing EXCITE once a term, which was a new way of presenting RE to the children in a whole school assembly type of program. EXCITE finished in 2019 when Covid started. Organizing Day Camp craft activities is another event I have enjoyed being part of over the years. I now enjoy being part of the Social and Craft group fortnightly and the weekly Friday morning craft group. I am looking forward to serving God on the Church Leadership Team (CLT).
Sharyn Sinnamon
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I’m committed to living my life through the gift of his Spirit and in the light of his calling, a passion for the shared ministry of Pastoral Care. Together we live out our worship, witness and service as the Body of Christ. Welcoming, learning, supporting, encouraging, nurturing and in fellowship with each other reflecting Jesus’ love and care for all. Building Christ-like relationships is the mission of the ‘Church on the Corner’ always Growing in Christ, Showing Christ and Going Christ’s Way. Bless you!